Rangers trade Horak, two 2nds to Calgary for Erixon and a 5th

New York sends forward Roman Horak & two second round draft picks to Calgary

New York, June 1, 2011 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has acquired defenseman Tim Erixon and a fifth round draft pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft from Calgary in exchange for forward Roman Horak and two second round draft picks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. The Rangers also announced today that the club has signed Erixon to an entry level deal.

“Tim is an outstanding young defenseman with good size and mobility,” stated Sather. “He plays a complete, all-around game, and we feel he is an excellent addition to our developing, young defense corps.”

Erixon, 20, skated in 48 games with Skelleftea of the Swedish Elite League (SEL) this season, registering five goals and 19 assists for 24 points, along with 40 penalty minutes. He established career-highs in games played, assists and points while skating in his third full season in Sweden’s top league. Erixon tied for fifth on the team in assists and eighth in points, and ranked fifth on the club in penalty minutes. He also tallied three goals and five assists in 18 playoff contests with Skelleftea. Erixon tied for fifth on the team in playoff goals and assists, and sixth in points while establishing playoff career-highs in games played, goals, assists, points, and penalty minutes (12).

The 6-3, 205-pounder has skated in 140 career SEL contests with Skelleftea, registering 14 goals and 30 assists for 44 points, along with 96 penalty minutes. Erixon established a career-high with seven goals while appearing in 45 games during the 2009-10 season. He made his SEL debut as a 17 year old, skating in two games with Skelleftea in 2007-08. In addition, Erixon has appeared in 39 career playoff games, registering four goals and five assists for nine points, along with 24 penalty minutes.

Internationally, Erixon captured a silver medal with Team Sweden at the 2011 IIHF World Championships in Slovakia, registering one assist and a plus-two rating in nine games. He also represented Sweden at the 2009 and 2010 World Junior Championships, winning the silver medal in 2009 and the bronze medal in 2010.

Erixon was originally selected by Calgary as their first round choice, 23rd overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Born in Port Chester, New York, he is the son of former Blueshirts forward, Jan Erixon, who played his entire 10-year NHL career with the Rangers from 1983-84 to 1992-93. Jan Erixon, who was selected by the Rangers in the second round (30th overall) in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, registered 57 goals and 159 assists for 216 points, along with 167 penalty minutes in 556 career games. He is a two-time winner of the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award, including as the inaugural winner in 1987-88 and again in 1990-91.

Horak, 19, skated in 64 games with the Chilliwack Bruins of the Western Hockey League (WHL) this season, registering 26 goals and 52 assists for 78 points, along with 60 penalty minutes. He was originally the Rangers fifth round choice, 127th overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Jan Erixon : an unsung Ranger great. Hopefully the kid has got the same work ethic.

Curious…is it a complete coincidence that he ends up here? I always wish I knew “who-knows-who” and how these discussions come about and how this all goes down. The kid’s gotta be pretty damn happy to be coming home with a chance to play here.

Great trade by Sather! We are now most likely assured(assuming no trade) of two first round picks. This kid is a heck of a player. Watched him in the WJC two years ago and he was real good! One of the best on the Sweeds. And he does have an offensive game and a good shot.

He is also the Flames best prospect who basically forced this trade to NYC because he is from here and wanted badly to play here just like his father.

I think he will get a good chance to make the team out of camp and I would not at all be surprised if Torts goes with him and MDZ as the third pair. Torts likes to roll the dice and he rolled a big time seven with MCD and Sauer.

Erixon should be able to step in and compete for a spot right away…I think he is probably more offensive than any of our d-men, aside from Del Zotto, but he is a 2-way d-man, not just a stay-at-home type….

Gilroy and/or Girardi can now be moved for an offensive upgrade…if the Rangers choose to go that route….

oleo,
first from his draft year.
“He has some solid skill, one scout said,” he doesn’t look like a high end guy offensively. He is not a dynamic player, but he’s a really safe defenseman and just a steady guy.
now from future watch.
already in his third season of Sweden’s top league and posting his best offensive season. however, the son of Jan isn’t going to make his mark on that side of the scoresheet. anyone who watched him at the world juniors can see what he provides, a steady game at both ends of the ice.
both of these from the Hockey News.

“Horak’s not necessarily ready to play today and we thought Tim was. That’s just the reality of the situation. But again, we’re able to get a guy who believe will play for us in Calgary at some point.”

I don’t know if it was mentioned, but it was nice to see Brooks call out Luongo in the Post today…

“When Canada won Olympic gold last year, Luongo seemed merely along for the ride after supplanting Martin Brodeur; the beneficiary of playing behind a powerhouse squad. If Canada didn’t win in spite of Luongo, well, it sure didn’t win because of the goaltender. He was to Canada as Chris Osgood was to the 1998 Cup champion Red Wings.”

From what I read, the Flames had until the end of June to sign Erixon or he would go back into the draft this year. With the Rangers in the driver’s seat leverage wise, why did they have to give up both 2nd round picks? I don’t know anything about Horak except from what I have read, but I hate giving up draft picks for a team that needs offense so bad.
They’ve said it’s a weak draft, but it will probably surprise. When are the experts right anyway:)

I’m not the biggest Luongo fan either, but a touch selective with Brooks’ quotes there, given he also said “…elite goaltending in Vancouver provided by Roberto Luongo following his opening-round benching against the Blackhawks…” and “Vancouver may have won the Western finals over San Jose because of Luongo…”

Slats keeps unloading young scorers – the team’s primary need to move forward – first Werek, now Horak. Why do we need 10 potential all-stars on D, to go with an empty cupboard up front? How about some damn BALANCE on our roster, not just more one-dimensional myopia?

Thankfully, the network here switched to CBC after showing the first 10 minutes of the NBC coverage. Only long enough to see Keith Jones had a yellow face and for Milbury to say something I completely ignored.

Latona, I think Carp is set for recaps for Game 1 and 2….e-mail him at rcarpini@lohud.com for info on other games. Or for tonight…..who am I to say :) I would love to hear your thoughts, plus lunch menu

If you want to do your own recap, that’s perfectly cool. I don’t necessarily want to do one, but I just want to make sure one gets up for every game. However, if you want, I would be glad to aid you with your recap. We do make an excellent team.

jpg, yes, I am part of New York Rangers fan club on FB, as I know you are, but there is another FB Rangers group that Sally and Linda started, I thought you were part of too? It’s kind of faded though, sadly….Girls!

Latona: Totally. Tiki always needs to calm down. That’s a fact. But I did try to be nice and I notice that you were pretty nice also…..it never worked. Then he was in a terrible accident and came back and then left again. I hope he’s OK.

Manny, in order to gain entrance, you have to dress in drag and do the hula. Then, while still in drag, sing “Feel like a Natural Woman’. And then we have to critique your perfomances and maybe, just maybe you will be allowed in.

Serbs come in all colors, and you’d be surprised at the number of blonds and redheads in Italy. Greece…dunno. Never saw one not a brunette.

Someone mentioned that we “need” Richards. And then what?
the same type of timid skating and playing style as we’ve been subject to since Renneyhockey? Now and then a shot on goal
( usually wide of the net), and eternal passing til intercepted?

Nah. I’d rather be in Disneyworld, ( And if you knew how much I despise D World, ……………………….)